[A study of changes in the nutritional status of patients receiving cancer chemotherapy]

In an attempt to find a method for effective nursing support which would maintain a favorable nutritional status in patients receiving chemotherapy, the nutritional status of 15 patients with lung cancer receiving cisplatin therapy was evaluated, and the factors influencing their status were studied. (1) Nutritional status was evaluated in terms of 7 indicators: body weight, skinfold thickness, arm muscle circumference, grip strength, hemoglobin level, serum total protein and serum albumin. Among these, skinfold thickness proved to be the most sensitive indicator of the changes in nutritional status of cancer patients during chemotherapy. (2) Multiple regression analysis revealed that skinfold thickness was influenced by dietary intake, which in turn was related to nausea, vomiting, trait anxiety level estimated by STAI and maximum body temperature associated with infection. (3) It was concluded that the following nursing interventions are significant for maintenance of favorable nutritional status for cancer patients during chemotherapy. First, periodic evaluation of their nutritional status by anthropometric measurements is necessary. Secondly, efforts should be made to reduce nausea and vomiting, to reassure patients with severe anxiety so that they become mentally stable, and to motivate the patients to perform self-care for prevention of infection, thereby achieving a sufficient dietary intake.